Unicorn Reintroduction Going Ahead as Planned

by Tom Kaye — last modified Apr 02, 2013

Unicorns to be reintroduced to the Oregon Coast Range

IAE ecologists are planning to move ahead with the first wild release of unicorns (Equus monotuskus) after delays in receiving permits from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The captive herd that has been bred in the Coast Range of western Oregon will be released into the Dry Creek Wilderness, and represents the first wild release of unicorns since King Arthur’s time, and the first ever in North America since the species died out after the Pleistocene.

Although state regulators were waiting to give the official nod to the project until after the animals were certified as disease free, the biggest hurdles to the project were in finding biologists skilled in unicorn management.

On detail to IAE from the British Ministry of Wildlife, Rubeus Hagrid has been working on the project locally since 2011. He helped IAE recruit and train staff with pure hearts to help handle the animals. “The trick with unicorns,” said Hagrid, “is finding the right habitat with widely spaced old growth trees, and lots of moss on the ground.”

The initial release of 20 animals, 8 females and 12 males, will be conducted on April 1.